
Blaney Secures Pole as Rain Cancels Qualifying at North Wilkesboro
Rain forced NASCAR to abandon traditional qualifying, prompting a metric‑based starting order that places Ryan Blaney on pole and sees several playoff contenders starting lower.
Latest Slidescroller coverage mentioning Chase Briscoe across Nascar.

Rain forced NASCAR to abandon traditional qualifying, prompting a metric‑based starting order that places Ryan Blaney on pole and sees several playoff contenders starting lower.

The Cup Series will race at North Wilkesboro Speedway on Sunday, July 19, 2026, with a $11.2 million purse, stage lengths of 80/265/450 laps, and a full field of top drivers broadcast on TNT Sports, HBO Max and PRN.

Ross Chastain, Austin Hill and Connor Zilisch face significant penalties after repeated inspection violations, threatening their positions in the playoff picture as the regular season nears its climax.

Inclement weather halted NASCAR Cup Series qualifying at North Wilkesboro Speedway, prompting the series to rely on the Rule Book to determine the starting lineup for the Window World 450, with Ryan Blaney at the helm and Ross Chastain dropping to the rear after a penalty.

An unexpected afternoon thunderstorm halted the Cup Series qualifying session at North Wilkesboro Speedway, prompting NASCAR to set the starting lineup using a blend of owner points and recent race performance.

Rain forced NASCAR to cancel qualifying for the Window World 450 at North Wilkesboro Speedway, promoting Ryan Blaney to pole position based on prior results, while a Saturday evening practice will give teams a final chance to prepare, with live updates on the series’ social channels.

NASCAR’s first points‑paying race at North Wilkesboro since 1996 will feature new bumper safety rules, a rich history dating back to 1947, and a competitive driver field that includes Ryan Blaney and other short‑track specialists.

Team Penske will headline the NASCAR Cup Series starting grid for the July 2026 Window World 450 at North Wilkesboro Speedway, with Ryan Blaney on pole and Ty Gibbs alongside him after qualifying was washed out.

Ryan Blaney clinches the pole, Ty Gibbs joins him on the front row, and a crowded field prepares for the July race at North Wilkesboro Speedway
Denny Hamlin tops the betting board for the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis, with Tyler Reddick and Kyle Larson close behind, while long‑shot entries add intrigue to the historic event.

Rain forced NASCAR to abandon traditional qualifying at North Wilkesboro, prompting a performance‑metric starting order for the Window World 450, where Ryan Blaney takes the pole alongside Ty Gibbs.

Qualifying for the Cup Series race was washed out, prompting NASCAR to use metric scores to determine the lineup, where Ryan Blaney claimed the pole ahead of Ty Gibbs and Christopher Bell.

A sudden downpour forced NASCAR to scrap the qualifying session at North Wilkesboro Speedway, but the series pressed on with a full practice. Christopher Bell set the fastest lap, while a host of drivers posted competitive times ahead of the next event.

If rain forces cancellation of qualifying at Indianapolis, the Brickyard 400 field will be set by reversing the order derived from owner standings and the most recent race result, a scenario that has played out five times this season.

Bell’s 123.477 mph topped the session, while Chastain faces a pass‑through penalty and Reddick’s delayed run could impact his race outlook.

The NASCAR Cup Series is making its long‑awaited comeback at North Wilkesboro Speedway, with the Window World 450 scheduled for Sunday, July 19 at 7 p.m. ET. The event will be broadcast on TNT and truTV and streamed live on DIRECTV, while the 2026 calendar promises a full slate of races across the United States.

The NASCAR Cup Series is set to make a historic comeback at North Wilkesboro Speedway, a venue that hasn't hosted a points‑racing event in three decades. The Window World 450 will light up the track on Sunday, July 19, at 7 p.m. Eastern Time, and fans will be able to watch the action live on both TNT and truTV.
Rain‑delayed qualifying saw Ryan Blaney take the pole for the first points‑paying NASCAR Cup race at North Wilkesboro since 1996, a 450‑lap event that will be televised on TNT and streamed on HBO Max and NASCAR.com.

With the Brickyard 400 looming, veteran Denny Hamlin leads the points standings and aims to finally capture the iconic race, while analysts and rivals size up the strategic battles that could decide the outcome.

Ryan Blaney will start first for the Cup Series event at North Wilkesboro Speedway on July 19, after rain washed out qualifying. The race will be televised on TNT, streamed on HBO Max, and feature a full slate of drivers and teams.
Rain forced the cancellation of Saturday’s qualifying session at North Wilkesboro Speedway, prompting NASCAR to set the lineup using a points‑based formula. Ryan Blaney will lead the field, while several high‑profile drivers will start beyond the 25th position. The race will be televised nationally on TNT and available via HBO Max, NASCAR.com and SiriusXM channel 90.
Ryan Blaney will lead the field for the July 19 NASCAR Cup Series event at North Wilkesboro Speedway after a rain‑washed qualifying session, marking the first points‑paying race at the venue since 1996.

Ryan Blaney will lead the field at North Wilkesboro Speedway on July 19, marking the first points‑paying NASCAR Cup event at the track since 1996. The race will be televised nationally on TNT and streamed on HBO Max, NASCAR.com and SiriusXM.
The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series will stage a 450‑lap, 281.25‑mile race at North Wilkesboro Speedway, featuring a hybrid starting grid, three distinct stages, and coverage across TNT, HBO Max, NASCAR.com and SiriusXM.